A majority of Scottish local authorities have banned the use of genetically modified ingredients in their school meals, according to a survey.

Friends of the Earth Scotland said its study has revealed that 25 of the country's 32 authorities have insisted that GM products be taken off the menu.

It said the survey's results showed that councils have been listening to public concerns about potential health and environmental dangers.

Schools "listening to concerns"

The environmental body wrote to all of Scotland's authorities asking them what steps they had taken to ban GM ingredients from school meals.

Twenty five wrote back, indicating that they had banned them completely.

The other seven said they had taken limited measures such as writing to suppliers asking them to provide GM free food.

Edinburgh, West Lothian, Angus and Shetland indicated that they had gone further than just a ban.

They had either set up campaigning groups or joined the call for a five-year moratorium on commercial growing of GM crops.

'Environmental damage'

Friends of the Earth said the councils had shown they were not prepared to take risks with the environment or the health of children.

The group's head of research, Dr Richard Dixon, said: "Unlike the government this survey shows how local authorities have listened to the public concern about potential health and environmental damage from GM foods and crops.

"When it comes to GM foods local authorities have clearly learned from the BSE fiasco and are not prepared to gamble with the environment or the health of those in their care."